INTERACT FORUM

Windows => Third Party Plug-ins, Programs, and Skins => Topic started by: zoom+slomo on December 04, 2024, 02:40:54 pm

Title: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 04, 2024, 02:40:54 pm
Apparently, we've seen the last of AnyDVD HD, as this site's been closed at least since July. https://www.redfox.bz/
Some discussions https://www.reddit.com/r/AnyStream/comments/1dqgvd9/are_people_able_to_still_use_redfox_software/

Also here https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/rip-anydvd-hd-from-slysoft-redfox.2620654/#post-41350006 , and please note Chane's (me) post today.

So, what, if any, alternative software are there for playing 1080p BDs via JRiver?

Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: Awesome Donkey on December 04, 2024, 03:03:26 pm
MakeMKV works doesn't it? Maybe DVDFab too if that's still around.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: stewart_pk on December 04, 2024, 06:14:57 pm
DVDfab PassKey: https://www.dvdfab.cn/passkey-for-blu-ray.htm
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: stewart_pk on December 04, 2024, 06:16:33 pm
MakeMKV works doesn't it?

Does it actually work for decryption (without copying) so that discs can simply be played back as was the question asked?
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 04, 2024, 08:19:32 pm
Does it actually work for decryption (without copying) so that discs can simply be played back as was the question asked?
Exactly, otherwise JRiver's like >50% useless to me.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: jmone on December 04, 2024, 10:10:03 pm
Yeah, AnyDVD was great for mounting a physical BD that was then presented to MC to play in an unencrypted form.  It worked great.  Pop in your disc, AnyDVD would do it's thing, and MC would then just play it off the disc.  The only solutions I can think of are:
- DVD Fab
- Something "new" based on libaacs
- MC develops an option to "Play" instead of "Backup" using the existing makeMKV integration (if that is even possible)
- Keep using AnyDVD (I've uninstalled AnyDVD so can't test.... but shouldn't it still work for all BDs?)

You may also want to post your question over on Doom9's in their Decrypting board, as there may be other options I'm unaware of. 
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: stewart_pk on December 04, 2024, 10:21:54 pm
Exactly, otherwise JRiver's like >50% useless to me.

Recently I wanted to decrypt a bluray for watching for the first time in a long time and yeah AnyDVD HD did not work.
I then remembered that I actually have a lifetime license for DVDfab Passkey.
So I uninstalled AndDVD HD and installed DVDfab Passkey.
It worked, but I found that it took a ridiculously long time to be finished with a disc before playing with JRiver MC.
I then managed to find it was taking so long because of an option called Blupath (https://www.dvdfab.cn/blupath.htm) and once disabled (in the options) DVDfab Passkey would then work nice and quick at just decrypting a disc before playback.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 04, 2024, 10:39:58 pm
Regarding the libaacs solution, in fact, it was someone on a Slysoft thread who told me how to download and where to install those and something else in Windows 10 to enable VLC player to play BDs-and it worked! I could play almost any 1080p BD in my collection. However, somehow it stopped working a week or so later and I didn't write down the steps to reset and/or repeat the installs, and didn't have time to get back to that guy on the thread. But that proves that a similar solution is very applicable to JRiver.

Alternately, MC could pursue a different scheme to achieve the same. And they should since there's 1080p BD is no longer the gold standard, and besides the request is for playing BDs, not ripping them. 

I'd post my request at Doom9 if you think it would help expedite creation of some kind of JRiver plug-in, BUT I am NO kind of coder, and don't care to be. I just want to install the software and thereafter have it work its BD playing magic on JRiver. 
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 04, 2024, 10:44:21 pm
........I then managed to find it was taking so long because of an option called Blupath (https://www.dvdfab.cn/blupath.htm) and once disabled (in the options) DVDfab Passkey would then work nice and quick at just decrypting a disc before playback.
Sounds promising. How many BDs has DVDfab Passkey decrypted as flawlessly as AnyDVD HD probably did  for you? Thanks for posting this. 
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: jmone on December 05, 2024, 03:41:05 am
I'd post my request at Doom9 if you think it would help expedite creation of some kind of JRiver plug-in...

You are not after a "plug-in" but a "driver" that mounts a BD, unencrypts it and presents it to windows.  MC can then just play it no probs.  This is what AnyDVD did, and what (without testing or any first hand experience) DVDfab can still do.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: JimH on December 05, 2024, 06:19:20 am
You are not after a "plug-in" but a "driver" that mounts a BD, unencrypts it and presents it to windows.  MC can then just play it no probs.  This is what AnyDVD did, and what (without testing or any first hand experience) DVDfab can still do.
I believe makeMKV also can.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: Awesome Donkey on December 05, 2024, 06:24:24 am
I thought so too, I seem to recall it had an integration with MC a few years ago and this was one of things it could do. Maybe I'm remembering it wrong?
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: JimH on December 05, 2024, 09:50:03 am
Install makeMKV to try it.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 05, 2024, 11:40:15 am
Install makeMKV to try it.
Last year someone here https://www.videohelp.com/ had said to try makeMKV to copy a part of an ISO file of a movie someone had ripped from a commercial DVD and burned to a DVD-R to check its A/V quality. I did this so my makeMKV trial is expired, otherwise I would definitely do the trial now to decrypt a BD and then try playing it on VLC, as my JRiver trial expired.

Then if I couldn't get makeMKV to decrypt one or two BDs I would download the trial for
https://www.dvdfab.cn/passkey-for-blu-ray.htm?trackid=headmenu2#q1_how_do_you_decrypt_a_blu_ray

If, if, if, if, if..........Please help out.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: Awesome Donkey on December 05, 2024, 12:13:44 pm
I did this so my makeMKV trial is expired, otherwise I would definitely do the trial now to decrypt a BD and then try playing it on VLC, as my JRiver trial expired.

MakeMKV is free while it's in beta, which it has been in for years now. You just need to add and use the new beta key released every few months and you're good to go.

The latest beta key is always here: https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1053

Of course, if you're able to, you can purchase a MakeMKV license too and support the project, but at least while it's in beta you can use it with the beta key and it'll work.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 05, 2024, 02:02:37 pm
The latest beta key is always here: https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1053

Of course, if you're able to, you can purchase a MakeMKV license too and support the project, but at least while it's in beta you can use it with the beta key and it'll work.
I just joined their forum. If I can get it to play BDs on VLC-and then on JRiver-easily enough then I'd gladly buy a license.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: jmone on December 05, 2024, 03:16:34 pm
Tested direct BD playback with makeMKV installed.  It does not work.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: jmone on December 05, 2024, 03:25:10 pm
...and then checked this box in MakeMKV preferences and it works!  Both BD Menus and Title playback.

Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: stewart_pk on December 05, 2024, 05:37:50 pm
Sounds promising. How many BDs has DVDfab Passkey decrypted as flawlessly as AnyDVD HD probably did  for you? Thanks for posting this.

So far I've only tried one so far after reinstalling it after a long time. There is a free trial version available for download.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 08, 2024, 04:00:55 am
...and then checked this box in MakeMKV preferences and it works!  Both BD Menus and Title playback.
Okay, I downloaded the latest version of makeMKV. As per an makeMKV forum member's suggestions, in makeMKV clicked Preferences, Integration, checked VLC player. Then loaded BD

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Mirage-Blu-ray/240718/

In VLC player, clicked Open Disc, Blu Ray, open and clicked play.  Got this error message.

Blu-ray error:

Blu-ray Disc is corrupted.

Your input can't be opened:

VLC is unable to open the MRL 'bluray:///D:/'. Check the log for details.
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: jmone on December 08, 2024, 02:15:48 pm
Sorry, no idea on VLC.  Maybe check all the boxes under integration then Reboot?
Title: Re: Redfox Alternatives for 1080p BD Playback?
Post by: zoom+slomo on December 11, 2024, 11:34:51 am
...and then checked this box in MakeMKV preferences and it works!  Both BD Menus and Title playback.
Aren't both the two top "System......" boxes also supposed to be checked? That's what Andy1249 said to do. https://www.avforums.com/threads/slysoft-anydvd-site-has-gone.2013715/page-2#post-32692350 

Aha, so that's where that key is! MakeMKV is free while in beta - www.makemkv.com

Will try this tonight. :)